What's Happening

The holiday season is here! Let the merchants in Downtown Alameda help you find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing, toys, books, or personalized services. To make shopping downtown easier, parking is FREE on weekends.

From the cheerful SHOP LATE THURSDAYS to our popular HOT COCOA CRAWL, downtown merchants have plenty to offer for a festive holiday shopping experience.

Kick off the holiday season in Downtown Alameda on Small Business Saturday®. Celebrate and support local businesses by shopping and dining downtown the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Bundle up the kids, buy a warm beverage or an ice cream, and take a stroll to enjoy the festive downtown holiday windows. Cast a vote for your favorite display.

Need more time to check off items on your holiday gift-giving list? Retailers are joining restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues in staying open until 8:00pm (or later) on Shop Late Thursdays. Have your cameras ready on Thursday, December 5 — Santa will be popping into businesses, handing out treats, and posing for photos.

On Saturday, December 7, join Santa and Alameda ‘s Mayor when they light the official island holiday tree at City Hall. Enjoy live local holiday performances beginning at 4:00pm and meet the big guy himself. Afterwards, do the Hot Cocoa Crawl with family and friends. Enjoy the shops, have a bite to eat, and vote on your favorite downtown holiday window display.

Perk up the holidays with a nostalgic movie experience at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex. Holiday classics “A Christmas Story” (Wednesday, December 4) and “It’s a Wonderful Life” (Wednesday, December 11) are showing on the big screen.

For last minute gifts, enjoy a cozy evening of merry-making, mingling, and gift-buying while supporting local makers on Sunday, December 15. More than 20 crafters, makers, and artists will be selling awesome gifts for the holidays at PHOENIX. All ages welcome and admission is free.

Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda!

Small Business Saturday is November 30, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Celebrate local businesses that are the backbone of our island city. Step inside one of our many storefronts and enjoy gifts to share with friends and family.

When local businesses succeed, we all do! This holiday season shop locally to support local jobs, reduce your climate change impact, and keep more money in the local economy.

Spotlight on local business:

When you walk into Alameda Bicycle on the corner of Park Street and Webb Ave you can feel the passion for two-wheelers. The shop has been there for 50 years. After the Oh family took over in 1987, Gene Oh started helping out at the shop on weekends and summers. He took over full-time in 2002. “We’re here because we love bikes in some way. We want to pass that feeling along to everyone that comes into the shop. Since the beginning, we’ve been about getting the whole family on two wheels.”

Toy Safari is a place for families to explore and enjoy the wonderful world of toys. Helen Dean decided to open the shop shortly after the navy base closed in 1989. “I was shopping for a birthday present for my sons’ school friend and I realized there weren’t many options. I thought to myself, ‘I could open a toy store!’ followed immediately by the thought, ‘don’t be crazy!'” said Helen. 27 years later that “crazy” idea is now an Alameda treasure, providing a positive, kid-friendly business where kids can make informed decisions about purchases and can trade-in outgrown yet well-treated toys for new, quality toys. 

Shop, eat, & enjoy local on Small Business Saturday:

Be on the look out for Shop. Eat. Enjoy. LOCAL giveaways. Additionally, businesses throughout the district are getting into the spirit of Small Business Saturday by providing free treats, special offers, and other activities:

Habanas Cuban Cuisine is offering a Complimentary Appetizer for each party.

Lost City Antiques will be have 10-50% off selected items.

Ozone will have BOGO deals on ALL clothing and FREE helmet with purchase of any Sector 9 longboards (while supplies last).

Studio 23 and its sister gallery 3Dot will be open from 12-5pm with 10% off all artworks.

The Sewing Room will have bubbles, nibbles, and hot cocoa. Get 20% off fabrics & patterns; Open Sew time is only $5/hour.

Tootsies Alameda has 50% off all items in the store.

Oh, what fun it is in Downtown Alameda during the holidays: DowntownAlameda.com/holidays

Downtown Alameda is a marvelous destination for shopping, dining, playing, relaxing, and socializing. The district is ever-changing with new places to discover on each visit. Help us welcome our newest businesses!

New Downtown Businesses:

B. Graham – Market & Nest, 2310 Alameda Ave
Visual merchandising and interior design consultant.

B12 Love, 1708 Park Street #130 (Pop-Up @ Symmetry)
Vitamin + Nutrient Injections

Noah Graham Photography, 2310 Alameda Ave
Portraits, interiors, and action photographer.

Spine and Sport Chiropractic, 2504 Santa Clara Ave
Thoughtful and precise analysis to align body and spirit.

Spinning Bones, 1205 Park Street
Contemporary rotisserie restaurant fusing quality meats and new flavors.

Transformed iLash, 2515 Santa Clara Ave (inside Sabai Salon)
Eyelash artist and men’s hair grooming.

New Associate Members:

Alameda Family Services, 2325 Clement Ave Suite A
Behavioural health and educational services for Alameda residents at all stages of life.

Lynn’s of Alameda, 2807 Encinal Ave
Antigues and collectibles. Specializing in Estate Liquidations and Moving Sales.

New Locations:

Affinity At Home Care, 1926 Park St #3

Matz Law Group, 2329 Central Ave #200

Mercy and Grace Home Health Care, 1926 Park St #3

New Owners:

Dan’s Fresh Produce, 2300 Central Ave

Johnathan’s Sandwich House, 2316 Santa Clara Ave

(more…)

We are thrilled to officially welcome the businesses at Park Street Landing into the downtown district. The Downtown Alameda Business Association has worked hard to expand the downtown boundaries. The Board of Directors and staff are pleased to include the businesses at Park Street Landing in future promotions and activities. 

Please welcome our new members!

A Town Pizza, 2327 Blanding Ave #E
Neighborhood pizza spot featuring delicious kebabs as well as Italian favorites.

Alameda County Industries (ACI), 2307 Blanding Ave #B
Collection services for recyclables, organics, and garbage.

Brightsource Productions, 2307 Blanding Ave #D
Full-service corporate and commercial video production company.

Dollar Tree, 2317 Blanding Ave
Variety store where all goods are priced at just $1.

Dragon Rouge, 2337 Blanding Ave
Upscale, modern Vietnamese restaurant featuring outdoor dining on the water.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 2307 Blanding Ave #A
Wide selection of compact to full size cars, SUVs, Minivans, and trucks for rent.

H&R Block, 2327 Blanding Ave #C
Tax preparation services to help you get maximum refund.  

Hansen Rigging, 2307 Blanding Ave #G
Full performance boat rigging services and rope supplies.

iNail Spa, 2327 Blanding Ave #A
Spacious nail salon specializing in acrylics, gel nails, waxing, and pedicures.

iSalon, 2327 Blanding Ave #D
Full service salon featuring Bumble & Bumble products.

Lim’s TaeKwonDo Academy, 2307 Blanding Ave #C
Teaching Olympic style Taekwondo for students of all ages.

O’Reilly Auto Parts, 2327 Blanding Ave #G
Auto parts and supplies. Store manager has been at this location for over 10 years!

Swings & Wings, 2307 Blanding Ave #E
Sensory-based play space for children with swings, bounce house, and more.

Locally owned businesses make Downtown Alameda a better place. They help our community thrive and add to Alameda’s unique charm.

This year Alameda Bicycle is celebrating its 50th year in business. Since operations began in 1969, the owners of Alameda Bicycle have been building a community and encouraging lifestyles that are healthy and sustainable. It’s not enough just to sell bikes — they make sure that the people who buy them use them and enjoy them.

To all of you business owners who provide unforgettable customer service and have surpassed milestone anniversaries this year, we celebrate you!

50 Years:
Alameda Bicycle, 1522 Park Street

30 Years:
Berg Injury Lawyers, 2440 Santa Clara Ave
Park Jewelers, 1401 1/2 Park Street
Supercuts, 1329 Park Street (delete)

20 Years:
Law Offices of Laurence F. Padway, 1516 Oak Street #109

15 Years:
Lily Ly, PsyD, 2447 Santa Clara Ave #209
Elite Electronics, 1229 Park Street
K’Bella Salon, 1505 Broadway
Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden, 1223 Park Street
Beanery of Alameda, 1650 Park Street
Baron’s Meat & Poultry, 1650 Park Street
Sushi King, 1650 Park Street
Daisy’s, 1347 Park Street

10 Years:
Alameda Nutrition, 2447 Santa Clara Ave #301

Note: Anniversary dates are based on City of Alameda reports. For corrections, please contact the Downtown Alameda Business Association at (510) 523-1392 or email office@downtownalameda.com.